Podcasts about middle earth

Deen Salami | Guest Pastor Standing Firm: A Look at Stephen Check out the weekly sermon here or on our SRBC podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. While you're at it, check us out on Facebook and Instagram too. Like what you hear? We'd love to know.At South Run, we read every message personally. Whether you have a question, want to share how God is moving in your life, or are thinking about visiting in person, this is the place to start. If you click the link below, Pastor Eric will personally reach out to you. Listening online? Let us know. Sermon Transcript Standing Firm: What Stephen's Martyrdom in Acts 6–7 Teaches Us About Faith Under Fire — Sermon TranscriptSouth Run Baptist Church | Springfield, VA Guest Preacher: Deen SalamiActs 6:8–7:60June 7, 2026This is a full sermon transcript from South Run Baptist Church in Springfield, Virginia. In this message, guest preacher Deen Salami preaches on the martyrdom of Stephen from Acts 6–7. This sermon addresses how Stephen — an ordinary believer full of faith and the Holy Spirit — stood firm against hate and persecution before the Sanhedrin, what his conduct, his defense, and his death reveal about the cost of following Jesus, and why the church's first martyr was not a tragic accident but a catalyst for the spread of the gospel. Opening: A Passage That Can Almost Preach ItselfI am a little excited today about the message. We've got a lot of ground to cover. There's a large section of scripture that I want us to go through. I'm going to act as your guide. It's not very often that there are passages of scripture that actually can preach themselves. This passage just might be one of them. So what I'd like to do is just to act as your guide. I'll read through big chunks of scripture and I'll just make a couple of observations for us to consider as we do. To do that, though, I'll only need about another hour. Are you guys good with that? I know better than to get in the way of lunch, so I'll make sure that I'll get through this thing in a reasonable amount of time, and I promise we'll survive the experience, all right? All right, why don't you join me in prayer? Gracious God and Father, behold this time. It is you who have called all these people here. None are here by accident. You have assigned me to this task for this day and this hour, and I just pray, Lord God, that you would act and move. Empower now your servant to be able to bring forth this majesty for your people's benefit and for the glory of your great name. May everything that be said and done would be pleasing to you. We pray all of this in Jesus' name. Amen. Context: Who Was Stephen, and Why Does He Matter?Now, we've already had the first section of our passage read to us. We're going to look at the first martyr of the early church. If you guys know, that is a follower by the name of Stephen. Before he was crucified, Jesus warned the disciples that the world would hate them because of him, and as a result, they would suffer persecution. So how do we stand firm against the hate and persecution? Well, Stephen is going to help us answer that question because he experienced exactly what Jesus said he would. How he handles the hate is a great example for us to follow. Now, again, we've already read that first section in Acts 6:1–8, but as we go into the commentary of it, I want you to consider three simple things: the charges brought before Stephen, his conduct throughout this whole trial, and what it costs him at the end. Three things — charges, his conduct, and the cost. The gospel was being preached early on. It's the early part of the church's existence. The gospel was being preached, and after an early reception by the masses, opposition began to rise, specifically from the religious leaders. Stephen was a Hellenistic Jew, which means that his native tongue was not Aramaic, but it was Greek. He was also a Diaspora Jew, meaning that he was not born and raised inside Israel proper. He was born and raised outside of Israel. He came to Jerusalem, heard the gospel, and became a believer. He was not one of the original 12. He had no special place of prominence. In fact, when we first learn of Stephen a few verses earlier, he was in charge of food distribution for the church. In other words, Stephen was a simple, normal person, just like any one of us. His only desire was to serve and to be used by God. Now look at how he was described in this section. It says that he was full of God's grace and power, and he performed great signs and wonders. Up until this point, that description was only made of the apostles. But he ran into his fellow Diaspora Jews, and they could not withstand him in debate, because the Spirit of God had given him great wisdom. Since they were unable to defeat Stephen in debate, they slandered him, brought him up on trumped-up charges, and dragged him before the Sanhedrin. And this, by the way, is the third time that a follower of Jesus was dragged before the Sanhedrin. The first time it was Peter and John for healing a lame man. But because the crowds were praising God, they let them go. The second time was with all 12 apostles. They were beaten and sternly warned no longer to preach the gospel. This time, the Diaspora Jews were mobilized as a mob against Stephen, and if you were hearing properly and paying attention, you noticed that Stephen is alone. Incidentally, this is the same council that sentenced Jesus to death. The Charges Against Stephen: Disrespecting Moses and the TempleSo let's hear the charges brought against Stephen. It was the disrespect of the law — which is referred to as Moses — and the disrespect of God, the temple, because they believed that God's presence was in the temple. But Stephen is going to take these two charges and turn them on his accusers. But for now, I want to draw your attention to how Luke describes Stephen as he stands before the Sanhedrin. He says that he has the face of an angel. Now, I doubt very much that the Sanhedrin thought Stephen was hot, right? But what is it that made his appearance unmistakable? The question I want us to consider is, how is it possible that a normal person like Stephen — who was not part of the inner circle of Jesus — is able to do the things that Stephen had done and was described the way Luke describes him? Acts 6:5 — Full of Faith and the Holy Spirit: What That Actually MeansAnd I believe that the answer is found in verse 5 of chapter 6. This is the very first description we have of Stephen: he's a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. But the question is, what does that mean exactly? Let me start with full of faith. Because there are three aspects of faith that we see in Stephen. First, there's an intellectual determination. What do I mean by that? It simply means that he's asking himself, is the gospel true, and do I believe it? Am I a sinner, like the gospel says, and do I need a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ? Stephen's answer is yes. The second is, do I trust Jesus? Will I submit my life to him and proclaim him as my Lord? Again, Stephen answers, yes. But finally, will I commit everything to him, even if it means my death? And as we will see, Stephen will answer that question yes as well. But let me ask us all a question here. How are we doing in these three aspects? For most Christians, they're okay intellectually up here. Do I need a Savior? Yes. But it's the other two that they stumble at. Is he actually Lord? Am I running my own life? Do I just need Jesus as an advisor — I'll call on him when I need to? Or is he actually Lord? Do we actually commit our lives to him, willing to die? Because Stephen was all in with Jesus, it gave the Holy Spirit free reign to use Stephen any way he wanted. Not like a puppet, but as an active and willing partner in the work of advancing the kingdom. It's like the Fellowship of the Ring. Do you guys remember the Fellowship of the Ring? Remember when Frodo said he was going to go and take the ring to Mordor? Aragorn said to him, if by my life or death I can protect you, I will. Why? Because the fate of Middle Earth hung in the balance, right? But for us today, it's the souls — the eternal souls of people — that hang in the balance. And the only hope for them is Jesus Christ. Amen? If by our life or death, if we have the opportunity to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ, will we? Are we all in like Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit? What the Sanhedrin saw in Stephen was the very presence of the divine emanating from him. But let's move on and see what happens next. Acts 7:1–16: Stephen's Defense Begins — Summarizing Genesis 12 Through Exodus 1 from Memory I'm going to read from chapter 7, verse 1. "Then the high priest asked Stephen, are these charges true? To this he replied, brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran. Leave your country and your people, God said, and go to the land I will show you. So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. He gave him no inheritance here, not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no children. God spoke to him in this way, for 400 years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, God said, and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place. Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later, Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. Then a famine struck all of Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food. When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit. On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was. And Pharaoh learned about Joseph's family. After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family, 75 in all. Then Jacob went down to Egypt where he and our ancestors died. Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money. And as the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased. Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die." Now, for those of you who may have picked up on it, Stephen just summarized Genesis 12 all the way through Exodus 1. Genesis 12 is where we have God's promise to bless the world through Abram. Stephen starts there and ends in Exodus chapter 1. That is approximately 39 chapters that he summarized from memory under pressure. Now, if you were on the Sanhedrin, what would you be thinking right now about the charge of disrespecting the law? At least at this point, it looks like that charge is on kind of shaky ground. In fact, some of the Sanhedrin might be looking at Stephen and secretly giving him a thumbs up. Way to go, bro. Good job, all right? Why Stephen Uses Geography and the Stories of Joseph and Moses StrategicallyWhat I don't want you to miss, though, is how Stephen is telling this story. I want you to notice the way Stephen is making use of geography — Mesopotamia, Haran, Israel, Egypt. He is summarizing what God did in those places, but why is he doing this? Also, I want you to keep in mind what he says about Joseph and his brothers. I'm going to develop that here in a minute. Just be patient, okay? Now, before we move on, I want to highlight how Stephen addresses his adversaries. To the mob, he refers to them as brothers. To the Sanhedrin, he refers to them as fathers. This mob who dragged him forcefully before the Sanhedrin, and this council that not only sentenced Jesus to death but beat the 12 apostles — the question on the table is, why is Stephen so cordial? A few observations. First, he does not seem to be taking their behavior toward him personally. The moment is not lost on Stephen. He's acutely aware of the danger he is in, but he remembers his mission, which was the same as Jesus. He does not want to condemn them. He wants them to know the truth. So he speaks to them in a way fitting that purpose. He does not retaliate against them for mistreating him. Second, Stephen understands that their behavior is symptomatic of a bigger issue. He knows what the Apostle Paul will later go on to understand and share with Timothy. As we read in 2 Timothy 2:25–26, Paul says this: "Opponents must be gently instructed in the hope that God will grant them repentance, leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil who has taken them captive to do his will." Stephen understands that these people have been taken captive by the devil so that they would do his will. But Stephen hopes that they will come to their senses. So he begins by instructing them gently. And in his approach, Stephen is reflecting the very heart of God. Back in Ezekiel 33:11, we hear God say this: "As surely as I live, declares the sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways. Why will you die, people of Israel?" Stephen does not clap back at them. Third, he is gentle because he is focused. He knows it's not about him. This encounter is much bigger than Stephen, and he is keenly aware of it, and we can tell by the way he conducts himself. It's a powerful lesson for us today, isn't it? If we're going to stand firm against hate and persecution, we will resist the urge to take people's behavior toward us personally. We remember that their behavior is symptomatic of a bigger issue. They are captives of the devil, and what we want to stay focused on is our mission to be active agents in freeing them through spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now one last point before we move on. We are 19 verses into Stephen's speech and in all his words, Stephen is not trying to defend himself. He has not yet answered the question that was put before him: are these charges true? He hasn't quite answered that question, at least not directly. Acts 7:20–43: Moses, the Burning Bush, and the Pattern of Rejected MessengersBut let's get back to the rest of Stephen's speech, because I think we'll find some more for us to consider. "Now at that time, Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months, he was cared for by his family. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. When Moses was 40 years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The next day, Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, men, you are brothers. Why do you want to hurt each other? But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday? When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. After 40 years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say, I am the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt. This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, who made you ruler and judge. He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. He led them out of Egypt and performed wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for 40 years in the wilderness." Once again, Stephen has done an excellent job in summarizing that next section. He pretty accurately brings the story to the lawgiver himself, the man Moses. But let me begin to tie some pieces of this puzzle together for us. Stephen brings up Joseph and Moses very strategically. Joseph, with his dreams, and Moses, even at his birth, were both marked by God for God's use and for the good of his people. But in both cases, they were originally rejected. In other words, our ancestors, says Stephen, missed God's messengers the first time. Even though the signs were there, they rejected their God-appointed leaders the first time. And Stephen is about to be very clear about the implications of this for them. He mentions God being with Moses in Midian and in Egypt. All the geographical references that Stephen has made is the point he's taking aim at — the misunderstanding of the temple. They refer to the temple as this holy place. But yet Stephen reminds the Sanhedrin that when Moses was in Midian on Mount Sinai, Moses was commanded to remove his sandals because where he was standing was holy ground. So which is it? Is it the holy ground that Moses was standing on in Mount Sinai in Midian? Or is it this holy place, the temple in Jerusalem? Wherever the presence of God touches down becomes holy. What Stephen is saying is that God is not bound by any single location. This is what the Sanhedrin failed to see in their attempt to defend the temple. And it is a pattern that Stephen is pointing out for them. In addition, Jesus sternly rebuked the religious leaders when he turned over the tables of the money changers and called the temple a den of thieves, because they were keeping people from God. God had left the building, and they were completely oblivious. Let me highlight the wisdom Stephen is using here. First, he knows the word and how to apply it to the situation he is presently in. Second, he understands the charges brought against him and how to use those same charges to highlight the error of his accusers. And finally, he does not lose focus of his mission. And the question on the table for us is, if we were under this pressure, could we do the same? Acts 7:44–53: Stephen Flips the Script — You Are the Ones Who Violated the LawNow Stephen is about to end his time with the Sanhedrin, and it's going to be a colossal end. Let's finish reading. "This is the Moses who told the Israelites, God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people. He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and with our ancestors, and he received living words to pass on to us. But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him, and their hearts turned back to Egypt. They told Aaron, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him. That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in it in what their own hands had made. But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon, and stars. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets: did you bring me sacrifices and offerings 40 years in the wilderness, people of Israel? You have taken up the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your God Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore, I will send you into exile beyond Babylon. Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen. After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David, who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him. However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says, heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build me, says the Lord? Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things? You stiff-necked people, your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You were just like your ancestors. You always resist the Holy Spirit. Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him. You who have received the law that was given through angels, but have not yet obeyed it." Stephen ends his speech with a powerful rebuke of the Sanhedrin and this mob. The history of the Jewish people had been one of rebellion, culminating in the murder of Jesus, their long-awaited Messiah. Just as they did with Joseph and Moses, they missed Jesus the first time. I want you to underline verse 53. Stephen courageously tells the truth and provides a proper diagnosis of their problem. In so doing, he flips the script. So you accuse me of violating the law and desecrating the temple? I'm not guilty of either one of these, but you are. The evidence he provides is rightly in the law of Moses, and he records the embarrassing incident with the golden calf. This was abject idolatry, which got them exiled, and it's clear that their stubborn rebellion continued to blind them. Making the Means the End: The Sanhedrin's Fatal Error with the Law and the TempleThe inherent problem the Sanhedrin and the mob suffered from was that they made the means the end and did away with the end itself. What do I mean by that? Well, in Galatians 3:24–25, Paul says this: "So the law was our guardian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." The law was the means by which we would be ready for Christ, who was literally the end of the law — he was what the law was preparing us for. But they made the means, the law, the end, and did away with the end itself, Jesus. Jesus says the same thing about the temple. In Mark 11:17, Jesus says this: "My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves." The temple was the means by which all the nations would come to know who God is and pray to him. They turned the temple into a money-making machine, and they did away with God altogether. It's the same pattern. Acts 7:54–60: The Stoning of Stephen — Dying Like His LordLike all who stubbornly live in rebellion and refuse to hear the truth, they go after Stephen. "When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Look, he said, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of the young man named Saul. And while they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Then he fell on his knees and cried out, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing." Stephen took a bold stand and it cost him his life. But here's the beauty of this passage. Stephen died in the same way his Lord did. He dies praying for the forgiveness of the people stoning him, just like Jesus. And because Stephen was so faithful to his call, the heavens opened so that Stephen sees the Lord Jesus rise from his throne to welcome his faithful servant home. How to Stand Firm Against Hate and Persecution: Look Up, Not AroundHow do we stand firm in the face of hate and persecution? First and foremost, we look up, not around. We look to Jesus. We need to be focused on Jesus because he is all he's asking us to be, and he has done all he's asking us to do. That includes suffering for his sake. Second, we need to remember one important thing. We're not simply spectators or victims. We are active agents of change. In other words, we do not lose sight of the mission, because this is why we are here. You know, I know some people — I've spoken to some people about this passage — and they seem to think that it's unfair for Stephen to have died. After all, why couldn't God have saved him? He saved the apostles. He saved John and Peter. Why couldn't he have saved Stephen? But if we read Acts 1:8, where Jesus told the disciples that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and in the uttermost parts of the world, we begin to realize one important thing. Up until this point, guess where the church was localized? Jerusalem. Guess where they had their small groups? Jerusalem. Guess where they had their worship time? Jerusalem. But where were they supposed to go? But after Stephen was killed, we read this: "On that day, a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria." Stephen's death was the catalyst for the advancement of the gospel outside of Jerusalem. Remember, our faith is not a faith that we simply talk about. Our faith is a full contact sport. If by my life or death I can advance the gospel, I will. Stephen did it by his death. Closing: Active Agents of God's Redemptive WorkLet me read you one quote as I close. It says, "Suffering becomes the ongoing evidence that creation awaits restoration. And believers, bearing God's image and indwelt by the Spirit, participate in that redemptive work. Rather than passive victims of evil, they become agents through whom God's original creative intention progressively reasserts itself against the disorder introduced by sin." Will you be a part of that? Because this is our purpose. And once we understand our purpose and totally embrace it, then we look at the world very differently. We can stop asking why the world is the way it is. Because that's really the wrong question. The right question is, what are we going to do about it? Because we are supposed to be the active and willing participants in God's redemptive work. Is this work dangerous? Yeah. Stephen found that out very clearly. Remember, Jesus died for us first. So it is not like God is asking us to throw away our lives cavalierly. Far from it. Stephen understood the stakes and was keenly aware of the moment. But he determined that his life was worthy of sacrificing for the gospel. He stood firm. Can we? Let me pray. Our gracious God and Father, we thank you for this time that we can be in your word. We are reminded, Lord, that it's you who preserved your word, lo, these 2,000 years for us, this generation of believers, to learn and glean from. I pray, Father, for whatever lessons that may have been brought out here, that those seeds would be scattered in the hearts of your people and that they would grow into folks that would stand firm for the advancement of the gospel. Our only desire, Lord God, is like Stephen. We ask humbly that you would use us as we serve, and that you would be glorified. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. South Run Baptist Church | 8712 Selger Drive, Springfield, VA 22153 | Sunday Worship at 11am Serving Springfield, Burke, West Springfield, Lorton, Alexandria, Fort Belvoir, and Franconia, Virginia. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

In this episode of WCAT TV's discussion of Mount Doom, author Paul List and Tolkien scholar Joseph Pierce discuss their interpretations of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" through a Thomistic lens.Paul emphasizes the book's themes of original sin, mortal sin, and the fear of death, linking characters like Tom Bombadil and Goldberry to the rational will and intellect. Joseph praises the book's comprehensive analysis but cautions against reductionism, suggesting that Tolkien's work is broader and more nuanced. They also discuss the potential impact of artificial intelligence and the importance of preserving Catholic tradition. Both agree on the significance of Tolkien's work in addressing contemporary spiritual and technological challenges. The discussion explores the connections between J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and the themes of technology, artificial intelligence, and Christian faith.Paul highlights Tolkien's prescience, particularly his understanding of Alan Turing's concepts, which influences the portrayal of Sauron and the Eye of Sauron. Joseph emphasizes the importance of reading Tolkien's work as a story and of recognizing its deeper Christian themes, such as the long defeat and the ultimate victory of good over evil. Both agree on the need to return to faith and the dangers of worshiping technology.Concerning the book under discussion:In Mount Doom: The Prophecy of Tolkien Revealed, Paul List and Ali Ghaffari present a bold reinterpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien's mythology, arguing that a hidden philosophical and spiritual framework underlies The Lord of the Rings. Drawing from Catholic theology, Thomistic philosophy, psychology, and cultural criticism, the authors explore Tolkien's legendarium as a prophetic warning about technology, artificial intelligence, idolatry, and the crisis of the modern soul. This provocative study challenges readers to see Middle-earth—and themselves—in an entirely new way. Concerning the speakers:Paul List is co-author with Ali Ghaffari of Mount Doom: The Prophecy of Tolkien Revealed. Drawing on years of study in philosophy, theology, mythology, and Tolkien's legendarium, Paul has developed a bold and deeply original interpretation of Tolkien's work—one that connects The Lord of the Rings to questions of metaphysics, technology, artificial intelligence, and the spiritual crisis of modern civilization. His work challenges readers to reconsider Tolkien not only as a master storyteller, but also as a prophetic thinker speaking directly to our own age.Joseph Pearce, one of the world's leading Catholic literary scholars and biographers. A prolific author, editor, and speaker, Joseph has written extensively on J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, and many of the great literary voices of the Christian tradition. His work has helped countless readers rediscover the spiritual, philosophical, and theological depth embedded within great literature.

The great grandson of J. R. R. Tolkien, Royd Tolkien, has a special connection to New Zealand but not just because of its role as Middle-earth. 

Join The Man of the West as we approach the Tower of Cirith Ungol with Sam — from leaving Frodo's body behind, to the Two Watchers at the gate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A warm welcome to another Middle Earth sleep story, where you are the main character. This track incorporates soft, soothing music, detailed sound effects and a perfect sleepy atmosphere towards the end. You start your adventure journeying back to The Shire, where upon arrival you have a dinner scheduled with old Bilbo Baggins. As you venture home, however, you notice a storm brewing, and move as quickly as you can to find shelter in The House Under The Hill, where a warm fire waits for you, where fresh hot food will be brought straight to your lap, and where a magical sleep will envelop you. *With the rise of AI generated content, I feel it appropriate to reassure you that I am a human creator, with a deep love of storytelling, meditation and sleep. I work on my own to bring you as many varied tracks as possible, and I hope you continue to enjoy my creations!* If you would like to enjoy ad-free content, exclusive sleep stories, live readings and more, then you can join our wonderful Patreon community here: https://www.patreon.com/sleepycatmeditations Writing, Voiceover & Edits property of © Sleepy Cat Meditations (est. 2020). All rights reserved. Music by Liborio Conti & Enlightened Audio (All Licenses & Permission granted)

Nick and the mono moto James Powell return to Middle Earth to meet Theoden's cousin - THEOden! Also hand towel etiquette and braided women! Enjoy!Remember to email us at comicconspodcast@gmail.com and follow on Instagram @comicconspodcast

Link do ankiety odnośnie do spotkania MKwadrat w H40S: https://forms.gle/WD6RMavfv2X8oofdA W odcinku przekazujemy złe nowiny dla fanów gier Sony, którzy konsoli Sony nie posiadają. Oprócz tego dyskutujemy też o tym, co sądzimy o ostatnich zapowiedziach ze studia Warhorse. W recenzjach sam VR – opasła analiza VR-owego “Stalkera” czyli Into The Radius 2, a także wrażenia z FlatOuta 4 VR i boomer shootera Wrath Aeon of Ruin VR Brutal Edition. W kulturce podsumowujemy ostatni sezon The Boys, polecamy nowy serial z uniwersum Gry o Tron, a także zagłębiamy się w tajniki ogrodnictwa. Zapraszamy do odsłuchu! Podziękowania dla Patronów za wsparcie, a najbardziej dla: Op1ekun, Jan Jagieła, Janomin, Uki, Mateusz „Kaduk” Kadukowski (Kadukowo), Kosmaty Dziadu (8biters), Pierek, Sebastian (Gry Starego Boomera), Thomas Voland (Voland's Reality). Okładka: PerkaMontaż: PerkaRozpiska: Rudy Kanał Defana: https://www.youtube.com/@wsumiespoko/ (00:00:00) StartNewsy naleśnikowe(00:03:05) Schreier – PS5 wraca do exów (single player)(00:08:20) Rośnie cena PS Plus na miesiąc i 3 mies. na rok bez zmian(00:11:52) Zapowiedzi od Warhorse – RPG w świecie Middle Earth i nowa przygoda Kingdom Come(00:21:30) Wrażenia z 4 godzin w Black Flag Resynced – UV zachwycony(00:28:06) Kod źródłowy Metal Gear Solid 2 wyciekł – co to oznacza?(00:33:09) Licencje na muzykę w Mixtape nigdy nie wygasająanie skrytykowaliW co ostatnio graliśmy(00:41:02) Maciek(00:51:31) Simplex(00:57:16) PerkaNewsy VR(01:19:42) Valve zmieniło warunki certyfikacji dla frame z 90 na 72hz(01:22:29) Apple Vision Pro nie zostało porzucone/anulowane:Gry VR(01:23:22) Into The Radius 2 – Damian, Maciek(02:25:49) Flatout 4 VR – Damian(02:38:30) Wrath Aeon of Ruin – DamianKulturka(02:54:50) The Boys S5 (Amazon Prime) – Damian, Maciek(03:03:00) Knight of the Seven Kingdoms/Rycerz Siedmiu Królestw S1 (HBO Max) – Damian(03:07:48) This is a gardening show/To jest program ogrodniczy (Netflix) – DamianSpołeczność(03:11:37) Podziękowania dla patronów(03:12:14) Ankieta, komentarze Konsumpcja:YouTube#1: https://www.youtube.com/@MKwadratPodcastYouTube#2: https://www.youtube.com/@streaMKwadratRSS: https://mkwadratpodcast.pl/feed/podcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7e5OdT8bnLmvCahOfo4jNGiTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mkwadrat-podcast/id1082742315twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mkwadratpodcastMP3: https://mkwadratpodcast.pl/podcast/MKwadrat_241.mp3Interakcja:WWW: https://mkwadratpodcast.pl/Forum: https://stareforumpoly.pl/Discord: https://discord.com/invite/PafByaf9DUFanpage: https://facebook.com/MkwadratPodcast/Grupa FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mkwadratpodcast/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkwadratpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkwadratpodcast/Wsparcie:Patronite: https://patronite.pl/mkwadratpodcastSuppi: https://suppi.pl/mkwadratpodcast

For this show-within-a-show, Craig and Andrew learned about the world of Middle-Earth by reading J.R.R. Tolkien's posthumously published legendarium THE SILMARILLION. This episode posted first for our Patreon supporters in July 2025. If you want to hear our current longread project TOKYO DRIFTERS (and a bunch of other stuff besides), visit Patreon.com/overduepod.The Elves are here, and it's time to learn all about them! Because there are a whole bunch of different sub-types of them, mostly sorted by whether and how quickly they decided to heed the summons to come party with the gods on their paradise island.The most important one we meet is Fëanor, who forges the book's MacGuffins and then instantly gets super weird and possessive about them, in a way that ensures lasting misery for all involved. Hooray!The reading list:Ep 1 - Ainulindale, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion Ch 1-3Ep 2 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 4-10Ep 3 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 11-16Ep 4 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 17-20Ep 5 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 21-24Ep 6 - Akallabeth, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, AppendicesOur theme music was composed by Nick Lerangis.Follow @overduepod on Instagram and BlueskyAdvertise on OverdueSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tonight we come to the end of the entire History of Middle-earth! Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

This week the Punching Up crew discusses Warhorses' new projects, including a game set in Middle-earth, Dragon Quest Direct, the new Mario Movie release, Crazy Taxi, and more!Please keep in mind that our timestamps are approximate, and will often be slightly off due to dynamic ad placement.0:00:00 - Intro0:25:53 - Dragon Quest Stream0:34:26 - Warhorse Working on Middle-earth Game0:46:29 - Next Mario Movie release0:50:49 - SEGA teasing Crazy Taxi0:54:13 - Nintendo Wants to Produce More Switches0:58:23 - What We're Playing1:10:55 - The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine Anniversary Stream1:17:27 - Unreal Engine 6 Announced1:20:16 - Closing Questions1:43:30 - BBQ Questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Incredible week for both big movie and big tv show! That's right, both The Mandalorian VS. Groglet and The Boys Season 5 finale have arrived to varying degrees of audience apathy. We review that plus talk the news of the week covering Peter Jackson potentially returning to Middle Earth to direct The Silmarillion, The Godfather gets a fourth movie, a new trailer for Lanterns and more! Thanks for listening!New bonus Booque Clubbe podcast ep and video for Spider-Man: Life Story! Available to watch and listen now on bigsandwich.co and patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesPLEASE be aware timecodes may shift due to inserted ads.00:00 The Start03:19 The Silmarillion LOTR Movie09:12 New Godfather Spin-off Movie20:54 Avatar TLA Season 2 Trailer21:26 New DC Lanterns Trailer31:43 The Mandalorian vs Groglet Movie Review52:25 The Mandalorian vs Groglet Spoiler Segment01:04:50 The Boys Finale Full Spoiler Review01:29:20 What We Reading, Obsession Review01:35:25 Letters, It's Time For LettersSUBSCRIBE HERE ►► http://goo.gl/pQ39jNJames' Twitter ► http://twitter.com/mrsundaymoviesMaso's Twitter ► http://twitter.com/wikipediabrownPatreon ► https://patreon.com/mrsundaymoviesT-Shirts/Merch ► https://www.teepublic.com/stores/mr-sunday-moviesThe Weekly Planet iTunes ► https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-planet/id718158767?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4The Weekly Planet Direct Download ► https://play.acast.com/s/theweeklyplanetAmazon Affiliate Link ► https://amzn.to/2nc12P4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The WIP boys head to MIddle Earth & visit the Shire with Lando in Shirecenter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No, not the latest hotel review from The Man of the West. Join us as we open Series 16 in the dark, fragrant comfort of Shelob's Lair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long movies with short characters.  We must be back in Middle Earth again!  After 8 years, Peter Jackson brought more Tolkien tales to the big screen and another epic trilogy arrived.  These Hobbit adventures were almost as awesome at the previous Lord of the Rings movies, and some of our old familiar characters show up here, but it's all top-notch action and CGI beasts done properly.  Sweeping music, slashing swordplay and a bad-ass, fire-breathing, trash-talkin' dragon make this a thrilling ride!  Let me guide you (and save you about 8 hours of your time) through all the fun and treasures of the Hobbit trilogy with the high quality dorkiness you've come to expect from Missing Real.  Pretty confident, ain't I?  Maybe my dragon name should be "Smug".  

We're joined by Gothalion this week, Twitch streamer and now CEO of a game studio: Magic Find Studio to chat about Forza Horizon 6 and eulogize the end of Destiny 2. Kingdom Come Deliverance devs; Warhorse Studios, is developing a Middle-Earth game. Rocket League upgrades to Unreal Engine 6, Lots of Warhammer, a secret No Man's Sky announcement incoming and we prepare for the Summer of Game Showcases quickly approaching. We've also played Thick as Thieves, The Adventures of Elliot, Luna Abyss and much more! 0:00 - Intro1:00 - Gothalion is here2:55 - Goth is making a video game31:00 - Balancing game dev with streaming32:30 - Star Citizen reaches $1b36:00 - Warhorse doing Lord of the Rings39:00 - No killing in Subnautica 242:00 - Rocket League going to UE645:10 - Warhammer 40K Skulls49:00 - A secret No Man's Sky announcement?51:50 - Destiny 2 reaches end of life1:43:00 - The summer of game showcases1:51:30 - Thick as Thieves2:03:00 - The Adventures of Elliot2:09:20 - The Adventures of Sir Kicksalot2:15:50 - Forza Horizon 62:28:30 - Luna Abyss2:41:20 - LEGO Batman2:42:40 - Conan Exiles Enhanced2:51:20 - Rune Dice2:54:00 - Phonopolis2:54:40 - ShoutoutsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vi pratar bl.a. om Warhorse Studios nya Middle Earth-spel, Xbox inofficiella rebranding, Bullet Heaven-taggen på Steam, Sonys Beslut om PC, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, Saros, Forza Horizon 6 & Mixtape Stötta Kontrollbehov på Patreon!För 50kr i månaden får du tillgång till podden oklippt & reklamfri direkt när den har spelats in och dessutom tillgång till allt tidigare exklusivt content samt allt material under jul och sommarledigheter. Som Patron stöttar du oss även i vår intervjupodd "Homo Ludens" där vi intervjuar intressanta personer om deras förhållande till TV-Spel. Du får även dessa avsnitt tidigare och reklamfria. För 100kr i månaden får du allt som 50kr-patrons får men du får också första tjing på alla eventuella koder & gratisgrejer som vi ibland erbjuder! Du är dessutom lite bättre än alla andra. Blir du gratismedlem på Patreon kan du va med och diskutera aktuella spel, rösta i omröstningar och ta del av mycket annat kul! www.patreon.com/kontrollbehov Besök vår Youtube-kanal och prenumerera:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQ2sTbiCcR0dqNFHwcTB0g Gå med i gruppen Kontrollbehov - Eftersnack på Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1104625369694949/?ref=bookmarks Vi finns också på Discord! https://discord.gg/848F6TWXDY Hör av er:kontrollbehovpodcast@gmail.com

William Kircher, known for his role as Bifur the dwarf in The Hobbit trilogy, has moved to the country. When not performing overseas, he and jazz singer Nicole Chesterman Kircher are enjoying the rural pace with sheep, chooks, fruit trees and an honesty box at the gate. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.With thanks to:William Kircher and Nicole Chesterman KircherMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Want to chat to us or find out more about RNZ Podcasts? Join the RNZ Podcasts Discussion Facebook group where we share behind the scenes info about our series, and invite you to share feedback, recommendations and ask us questions.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life follows a farrier as he fits a horse with new shoes, compares different milks and their nutritional benefits, and visit's an actor's bit of country in Middle Earth.You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here.In this episode:0:38 - Milking it: Which milk is best?16:36 - Rural News Wrap24:36 - Hoofin' it in Central Otago: Walking a mile in a farrier's shoes38:36 - A little bit country, a little bit Middle EarthWith thanks to:Louise Brough, Massey UniversityBruce Barton, Barton Blacksmith ServicesWilliam Kircher and Nicole Chesterman-KircherMake sure you're following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don't miss new episodes every Friday evening.Send us your feedback or get in touch at country@rnz.co.nzGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Every creature in Arda has a story. The panel examines Middle-earth's animals — Huan, the Eagles, Ungoliant's brood, Beorn, the Nazgûl's horses — and asks what separates the natural from the supernatural in Tolkien's world. The post Animals of Middle Earth appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Joined by friend of the channel Bazuso, we dive into a number of controversial strategies that can currently be used in MESBG; some that are minor and situational, others potentially game-breaking!#lotr #warhammer #mesbg #sbg #tabletopgaming #tabletop #tabletopgamesTime Stamps:00:00 Introduction01:23 Siege Deployment 04:11 Gale Winds Lockout 07:34 Gail Winds Turn Off Shooting 09:50 Untouchable Objective 13:04 Locking Out Objective with Eggs/Flowers16:19 (Locking Out Objective With Heavy Objects)18:23 Blocking Fences20:25 Blocking Maelstrom Deployment28:23 Final Thoughts Links:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IntotheWestFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ITWpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/intothewestpodcast/Credits:Music: Music from Youtube Audio library Tavern Loop One by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Music: Bay BridgeMusician: mr. hong (from Audiio)Music: RedlineMusician: EnjoyMusicSite: https://enjoymusic.ai

We take a break from our previously scheduled series to celebrate our 200th EPISODE! Thanks for listening along all these years! To celebrate, we put together a game where Ron and Jasmine try to identify several Notable Numbers in Middle Earth. Join in and play along!

The Tolkien sickos are unleashed at last! In this Golden Ticket episode requested by DustyStars, Evan and Inaki review the 2024 anime film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, discussing its status within the franchise, effectiveness as a standalone film, and adherence to Tolkien canon. To redeem your own Golden Ticket and request a review of a specific piece of media, join the Ani-Gamers Patreon! Topics include: incel kings, elephants where they don't belong, and the plural of maia (it‘s maiar). Runtime: 1 hour, 53 minutes Direct Download RSS Feed iTunes Spotify Google Music Send us Feedback! Support us on Patreon! Join our Discord server! More episodes Show Notes Opening/Ending Song: “Blues Machine” by Scott Gratton Episode edited by Evan Minto. The Review Namedrops: J.R.R. Tolkien (duh), Peter Jackson, Phillipa Boyens, Kenji Kamiyama, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, The History of Middle Earth, The Children of Hurin, The Song of Beren and Luthien. Inaki mentioned this Tumblr post about Lord of the Rings in the context of WWI BlueSky: Evan, Inaki, Ani-Gamers Mastodon: Evan, Ani-Gamers Instagram: Ani-Gamers Twitch: David & Inaki Subscribe to Evan's digital manga service Omoi (formerly Azuki).

As we approach the very end of HoME, we look at two instances of Tolkien's story-genesis process: The New Shadow and Tal-Elmar. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Take a trip to Middle Earth to the great castle of city of Minas Tirith! LEGO is putting Mando and Grogu in Fortnite and the BDP kicks off with pricing and voting, all that and more on this week's Bricking LEGO News!FOLLOW my YouTube channel: Back 2 BrickLEGO set Review: 43014 Scuderia Ferrari HP Charles Leclerc Helmet Rebrickable set Review: Castle in the Sky by MartinDesignLord of the Rings Minas TirithMinas Tirith GWPBrickset x Brick SearchBDP Series 8 pricesBDP Series 11 votingRetiring soon!LEGO Litterer on the loose!Fortnite Odyssey x Star WarsBuild-a-Minifigure SummerWin a trip to Hobbiton!World Play Day SeoulThank you, Patrons! - Bellefonte Bricks Studio, Jimmy Tucker, David, Paul Snellen, Lee Jackson, Pop's Block Shop, Steve Miles, David   Support the showSee some of the designs I've built - REBRICKABLE.COMHead over to Back2brick.com for links to the latest LEGO set discounts!Support the podcast through our affiliate links AND join the Back 2 Brick Patreon!Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send me a message!backtobrick@gmail.comBack 2 Brick Podcast is not an affiliate nor endorsed by the LEGO Group.LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Minifigure, and the Brick and Knob configurations are trademarks of the LEGO Group of Companies. ©2025 The LEGO Group.

In this episode, Jasmeet Kaur, a student at UAlbany, sat down with Delilah Ramos, a junior at University at Albany, to get more insight into the services Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program provides and how student volunteers help support their peers through difficult moments, stress, and everyday challenges on campus.

Tolkien's women don't need the spotlight to hold the world together. That's the point. Alix Murray, Jeff Haecker, and Kathryn Laffrey trace the powerful, mysterious women of Middle-earth from the Valar to the Shire. The post Women of Middle Earth appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The final video of the Adepticon vlog trilogy recapping how Richard won the largest ever Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG) tournament in North America! #lotr #warhammer #mesbg #sbg #tabletopgaming #tabletop #tabletopgames Time Stamps: 00:00 The Background 01:20 The Preparation 03:52 The Journey04:31 The Masters04:52 Masters Game 106:19 Masters Game 207:21 Masters Game 308:24 Masters Game 409:56 GT Game 111:33 GT Game 212:10 GT Game 314:13 GT Game 415:50 End of GT Day 116:30 GT Game 517:38 GT Game 620:21 The EpilogueLinks: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IntotheWest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ITWpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intothewestpodcast/ Music by: Music from Youtube Audio library Tavern Loop One by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.com

How would a culture's take on "inheritance" change if that culture was made up of peoples who don't die? That's the basic question for today as we talk about what gets handed down by the Elves of Middle-Earth (and who they hand it down to).

Frank Schaeffer speaks with Professor Michael D.C. Drout about Tolkien's work and why it continues to resonate.They explore themes of loss, beauty, and moral clarity, and talk about how Tolkien's writing reflects the reality that everything meaningful comes with a cost.The conversation also touches on teaching, younger readers, and how grief shapes the way we understand stories._____LINKSThe Tower and the Ruin: J.R.R. Tolkien's Creation_____I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to personally thank you for subscribing, listening, and sharing 100-plus episodes over 100,000 times.Please subscribe to this Podcast, In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer, on your favorite platform, and to my Substack, It Has to Be Said. Thanks! Every subscription helps create, build, sustain and put voice to this movement for truth. Subscribe to It Has to Be Said. The Gospel of Zip will be released in print and on Amazon Kindle, and as a full video on YouTube and Substack that you can watch or listen to for free.Support the show_____In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer is a production of the George Bailey Morality in Public Life Fellowship. It is hosted by Frank Schaeffer, author of The Gospel of Zip.Learn more at https://www.thegospelofzip.com/Follow Frank on Substack, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube.https://frankschaeffer.substack.comhttps://www.facebook.com/frank.schaeffer.16https://twitter.com/Frank_Schaefferhttps://www.instagram.com/frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.threads.net/@frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.tiktok.com/@frank_schaefferhttps://www.youtube.com/c/FrankSchaefferYouTubeIn Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer Podcast

After a brief look at Lembas, we will discuss the barely begun sequel to the Lord of the Rings. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Sure, Gollum, sure. Join The Man of the West as we continue our journey with Frodo and Sam, climbing the Stairs of Cirith Ungol. Are you sure there isn't an elevator somewhere, Gollum? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So much going on in this episode! We compare chapters from Books 3 and 6. We realize our mistake regarding "The Houses of Healing" and "The Steward and the King." AND we pick our final winner. Which chapter gets dubbed "the Best of the Best"?

Tonight we look at some of Tolkien's late writings in which he boldly changes the history of Middle-earth. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

As we work through the last texts in the History of Middle-earth, we rejoin old friends Pengolod and Aelfwine for one last chat. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

For this show-within-a-show, Craig and Andrew learned about the world of Middle-Earth by reading J.R.R. Tolkien's posthumously published legendarium THE SILMARILLION. This episode posted first for our Patreon supporters in June 2025. If you want to hear our current longread project TOKYO DRIFTERS (and a bunch of other stuff besides), visit Patreon.com/overduepod.In the beginning, Eru Ilúvatar created the heaven and the earth, primarily by watching his child-angels have an epic sing-off. And Melkor was there singing bad stuff, but Ilúvatar was like "no matter how bad you sing I can always make it a part of the awesome world I am building."Anyway, this episode is about perhaps the most biblical part of the Hobbit Bible, where a god-like figure creates the world and casts out one of his followers who thinks he's good enough to challenge god himself. Also: the Dwarves are created, and the Elves wake up.The reading list:Ep 1 - Ainulindale, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion Ch 1-3Ep 2 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 4-10Ep 3 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 11-16Ep 4 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 17-20Ep 5 - Quenta Silmarillion Ch 21-24Ep 6 - Akallabeth, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age, AppendicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joshua Noel is joined by former host, Nick Polk, to dive into the lush world of Tolkien this Arbor Day, exploring the vital character of Yavanna—the Vala of nature herself. They kick things off by highlighting how Yavanna is not just the face behind the two iconic trees of Valinor, but also the creative force that brought about the Silmarils and the Ents. With a mix of reverence and cheeky banter, they discuss how Yavanna's essence intertwines with the very fabric of Middle-earth, influencing everything from the light of the sun and moon to the fate of the Ents in the battle against Saruman. As they ramble through Tolkien's rich lore, they emphasize the importance of caring for trees in our own world, echoing Yavanna's devotion to nature. So if you're down for a wild ride through Arda, this episode is a must-listen for any Tolkien fan! Yavanna, the Vala of Nature, takes center stage in this rich podcast episode that dives into the intricacies of Tolkien's world. Joshua and Nick kick things off with a casual banter about the significance of Arbor Day, seamlessly transitioning into a deeper exploration of Yavanna's role in the creation of the two Trees of Valinor and the Silmarils. Listeners are treated to an engaging narrative that paints Yavanna not just as a background character, but as a pivotal force in the lore of Middle-earth. The hosts discuss how her nurturing spirit led to the birth of the Ents and the preservation of the natural world, making the case that without Yavanna, Tolkien's universe would lack the lush greenery that defines it. They draw parallels between Yavanna's lament and the creation of new life, showcasing how Tolkien intertwines sorrow and beauty in his storytelling. As the episode unfolds, they delve into the implications of Yavanna's actions on the larger narrative, emphasizing her integral role in the tales of the Silmarillion and the fate of Middle-earth. This summary encapsulates the episode's exploration of Yavanna's character, her relationships with other Valar, and the broader themes of creation and loss within Tolkien's mythos.Takeaways:Yavanna is the Vala responsible for creating the two trees of Valinor, which symbolize hope and beauty in Tolkien's legendarium.Without Yavanna, there would be no Silmarils, the sun and moon, or even the Ents, making her a crucial character in Middle-earth's mythology.The intertwining of sorrow and beauty in Yavanna's story reflects Tolkien's concept of eucatastrophe, where joy arises from tragedy.Nick Polk and Joshua Noel explore how Yavanna's creation of the Ents embodies the theme of nature's resilience against industrial destruction.Tolkien's deep affection for trees is evident, as he uses them to symbolize life, hope, and the consequences of industrialization in Middle-earth.This Arbor Day episode emphasizes the significance of preserving nature, paralleling Yavanna's care for the trees with contemporary environmental concerns..Be sure to check out our merch, find extra content, and become an official member of Systematic Geekology on our website:https://systematic-geekology-shop.fourthwall.com/.Follow Nick on his Substack:https://tolkienpop.substack.com/.Listen to last year's Arbor Day special too:https://systematic-geekology.captivate.fm/episode/the-erdtree-and-its-symbolism-a-celebration-of-arbor-day-in-elden-ring/.Check out other episodes in this ear's theme of "The Faces Behind Us":https://player.captivate.fm/collection/dd903597-98be-49ed-998c-5cdaf73b6af4.Listen to our other Middle Earth episodes:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cd11887b-5998-452c-aa1f-330423162b51.Check out other episodes with Joshua:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/642da9db-496a-40f5-b212-7013d1e211e0.Check out other episodes with great guests like Nick:https://player.captivate.fm/collection/f4c32709-d8ff-4cef-8dfd-5775275c3c5eMentioned in this episode:Systematic GeekologyOur show focuses around our favorite fandoms that we discuss from a Christian perspective. We do not try to put Jesus into all our favorite stories, but rather we try to ask the questions the IPs are asking, then addressing those questions from our perspective. We are not all ordained, but we are the Priests to the Geeks, in the sense that we try to serve as mediators between the cultures around our favorite fandoms and our faith communities.Join our Facebook group and Discord ServerFind our Facebook group, "Priests to the Geeks", then join our Discord server with this link to continue on the conversation with us!DiscordBecome a member of Systematic Geekology on our Website!Check out the link to become a member of Systematic Geekology! All member get exclusive extras and shout outs on the show! Some of the paid tiers of membership get store discounts, free merch, and more!SG on FourthwallThe Anazao Podcast NetworkBe sure to check out the network website to see other podcasts trying to engage honestly with Scripture, Theology, Pop Culture, Martial Arts, Science, and more!Anazao Podcast NetworkCheck out our Fourthwall site for quite literally everything to do with our show!All SG merch, extra content, our youtube page, SG memberships, tips / donations, etc. can all be found at this one convenient spot!SG on Fourthwall

Graham Davey, former Games Workshop games designer and editor of the Lord of the Rings Battle Games in Middle Earth part-work magazine joins Jordan Sorcery to talk about his career and work.Graham Davey in conversation with Jordan Sorcery._____________________________ [ GREY FOR NOW GAMES ]https://greyfornow.com/Support My Work: ELEMENT GAMES AFFILIATE LINK:https://elementgames.co.uk/?d=11216PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/jordansorceryKO-FI:https://ko-fi.com/jordansorceryDISCORD:https://discord.gg/vtjKzTGevDINSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/jordansorcery/ BLUESKY:https://bsky.app/profile/jordansorcery.bsky.social WEBSITE:https://jordansorcery.com/_____________________________ Art, Music, and Copyright: Images used belong to their respective copyright owners Jordan Sorcery Theme by Joylin Music Jordan Sorcery Heraldry by Becka Moor Jordan Sorcery Heraldry and Theme copyright @jordansorcerySupport the show

Join The Man of the West as he continues his anti-bucket list of places to visit in Middle-earth with a trip through history to view the city known both as Minas Ithil and Minas Morgul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dan makes the drive down to Atlantic City to visit The Seed ahead of Allagash's Saison Day. Jared from Allagash talks about the origins of Saison Day and why The Seed got the honor of hosting this year. Sean and Amanda talk about the four saison collabs with Allagash that they will be pouring for the event. We talk about everything from their love of saison, to being open for five years, to what kinds of beers would be drank by the populations of Tolkien's Middle Earth.

Haley interviews Kaitlyn Facista, the founder of Tea with Tolkien (an online reading community) and the author of Into the Heart of Middle-earth. This episode discusses the wonderful works of J.R.R.Tolkien, his Catholic faith, and the Catholic theme of hope in The Lord of the Rings. It also explores the importance of feeding our souls with good books after becoming parents and modeling a healthy delight in our interests to highlight the joy of parenthood for our children. Learn more about the children's literature available from Word on Fire Votive. Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.

Sporty Spice was living up to her name for doing HYROX, we are not Alyssa Farrah and Ralph Fiennes has a pick for Voldemort. Lena Dunam ripple effect, Alex Cooper now taking aim at Chickenfry and we are heading back to Middle Earth.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join The Man of the West as we continue our itinerary of Places No One Wants to Visit: this time, looking at the lovely and refreshing Morgul Vale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight we discuss the vicissitudes of the House of Finwe, discovering Tolkien's linguistic play and the emergence of unexpected stories. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Tonight we watch new stories emerge and old stories float to the surface again as Tolkien wrestles with the explanation of names he finds himself stuck with. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

It's another edition of “What the actual fuck is going on?” LFG.   Our intrepid Feminist Buzzkills Lizz and Moji are back and bringing good news from Middle Earth — you know, Illinois and Wisconsin. They also go deep laying out how this week's attack on birth control, abortion, military rights, and voting rights are the latest ingredients in the larger toxic stew of oppression being cooked up by our enemies for 2027. COOL.   GUEST ROLL CALL: WE HAVE 2026 OSCAR NOMINEES IN THE HOUSE! From the documentary short “The Devil Is Busy,” Feminist Center For Reproductive Liberation Executive Director Kwajelyn Jackson and Head of Security Tracii Wesley talk about the film, and navigating all the challenges providing abortion care under a six week ban in Georgia. It's a lot, y'all, but they're dropping the knowledge you didn't know you needed.   PLUS! Author Kate Schatz is talking about being a teen feminist in the ‘90s, and how her own mom's experiences inspired her new book, “Where the Girls Were.” It's a heartbreaking and empowering story of unintended pregnancy, maternity homes, and resilience set in the late 1960s. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll immediately buy her book from an independent bookstore. It's the only way.    Times are heavy, but knowledge is power, y'all. We gotchu.    OPERATION SAVE ABORTION: You can still join the 10,000+ womb warriors fighting the patriarchy by clicking HERE for past Operation Save Abortion trainings, your toolkit, marching orders, and more.   HOSTS: Lizz Winstead IG: @LizzWinstead Bluesky: @LizzWinstead.bsky.social Moji Alawode-El IG: @Mojilocks Bluesky: @Mojilocks.bsky.social   SPECIAL GUESTS: Kwajelyn Jackson IG: @FeministCenter / @SuperKwa Bluesky: @superkwa.bsky.social  Tracii Wesley IG: @Tracy.wesley10 Kate Schatz IG: @K8shots   GUEST LINKS: WATCH: The Devil is Busy The Feminist Center for Reproductive Liberation Website  4/15: Volunteer Training at The Feminist Center  DONATE: The Feminist Center READ: Where the Girls Were Writing Wednesdays With Kate Schatz Link Kate Schatz Website SUBSCRIBE: Kate Schatz Substack  Kate Schatz Linktree   NEWS DUMP: Trump Considers Blocking Abortion Access for Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors in Federal Custody (Again) Liberal Chris Taylor Wins Election to Wisconsin Supreme Court New Illinois Abortion Access Bill Trump Admin Moves Title X Family Planning Program Away From Contraception, Toward Conception The US Right Has a Grand Plan to Remove the Vote From Women Women in the Military Put Their Lives on the Line. The Trump Administration Is Stripping Their Rights   EPISODE LINKS: Watch: Freaks (1932) 6 DEGREES: Even When Arsenio Hall's Show Was a Hit, ‘Everyone Wanted It to Be Something Else' Operation Save Abortion Expose Fake Clinics BUY AAF MERCH! EMAIL your abobo questions to The Feminist Buzzkills AAF's Abortion-Themed Rage Playlist   FOLLOW US: Listen to us ~ FBK Podcast Instagram ~ @AbortionFront Bluesky ~ @AbortionFront TikTok ~ @AbortionFront Facebook ~ @AbortionFront YouTube ~ @AbortionAccessFront TALK TO THE CHARLEY BOT FOR ABOBO OPTIONS & RESOURCES HERE! PATREON HERE! Support our work, get exclusive merch and more!  DONATE TO AAF HERE! ACTIVIST CALENDAR HERE! VOLUNTEER WITH US HERE! ADOPT-A-CLINIC HERE! GET ABOBO PILLS FROM PLAN C PILLS HERE! When BS is poppin', we pop off! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join The Man of the West as we continue our travel journeys to only the worst places, this time to the Black Gate itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A half marathon through Hobbiton sounds like pure fantasy until you hear what it's really like underfoot. We're joined by Kerry Flynn, a lifelong Lord of the Rings fan and seasoned half marathoner, to break down the Middle Earth Halfling Half Marathon in New Zealand: the small-field logistics, the afternoon start, the trail terrain on a working farm, and the very real elevation that turns “cute themed race” into an earned finish. She also shares what surprised her most, how photo ops and characters work outside the Run Disney machine, and why the post-race celebration feels like a perfectly on-brand reward.Before we head to Middle Earth, we do a Springtime Surprise training check-in and cover community announcements, including Jeff Galloway memorial run details and our plans for a special tribute show. Then we tackle fresh Run Disney news with reactions to the Summer Virtual Series themes, the medals, the extras in the box, and the big question of virtual races versus saving for a live weekend at Walt Disney World.We wrap it all up with our Disney Movie March Madness finale and a stacked race report from the Rise and Run community, plus a spotlight chat with Tom Stokes on what most runners miss when they hit a plateau: underfueling, skipping strength work, and training without a year-round plan that matches your race calendar. If you're into Disney running, destination races, run-walk-run strategy, and real-world training talk, this one has it all. Subscribe, share with a run buddy, and leave a review, then tell us: what's the most “impossible” race you'd actually train for?Stoked Metabolic CoachingRise and Run LinksRise and Run Podcast Facebook PageRise and Run Podcast InstagramRise and Run Podcast Website and ShopRise and Run PatreonRunningwithalysha Alysha's Run Coaching (Mention Rise And Run and get $10 off)Send us Fan MailSupport the showRise and Run Podcast is supported by our audience. When you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.Sponsor LinksMagic Bound Travel    Stoked Metabolic CoachingRise and Run Podcast Cruise Interest Form with Magic Bound Travel Affiliate LinksThe Start Line Co.Fluffy FizziesMona Moon Naturals Rise and Run Amazon Affiliate Web Page Kawaiian Pizza ApparelGoGuarded  

Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings, Lost) joins us for a wide ranging conversation that moves from Middle Earth memories to real life adventures with dangerous animals. Dominic talks about the lasting bond between the Lord of the Rings cast, why those friendships still matter decades later, and how his love of wildlife has led him into some extremely risky encounters. We also talk about the unexpected emotional lessons of psychedelic ceremonies and why losing loved ones has reshaped how he approaches compassion and connection. Thank you to our sponsors:

America's allies aren't lining up to join the war against Iran, Stephen shares his enthusiasm for the MarineTraffic app, and President Trump is threatening to “take” the country of Cuba. Actor Elijah Wood won't confirm or deny rumors that he's set to play Frodo again in an upcoming project, and shares that he and his Middle Earth cast-mates keep in touch via a long-running text chain. See “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” in theaters this Friday.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meanwhile... Customers calling a support line were surprised by a malfunctioning AI bot, the home from "The Brady Bunch" is now an official Los Angeles landmark, New Yorkers are bracing for new audio ads in the subway system, Stephen has a few words for the nerds who created an advanced "Lord of the Rings" climate model, tequila magnate George Clooney is introducing a non-alcoholic beer, and researchers claim to have solved the mystery of why cats always land on their feet. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices